Authorities praise driver's instincts

She fled man posing as officer; 3rd area incident since Dec. 15.

She fled man posing as officer; 3rd area incident since Dec. 15.

January 21, 2009|TOM MOOR Tribune Staff Writer

ELKHART -- Police are commending a woman they say used her instincts and drove away from a man posing as a police officer. This is the third time since Dec. 15 a police impersonator has been reported in Elkhart County. The most recent case happened about 7 p.m. Saturday, when the 28-year-old woman told police she was pulled over on State Street by a man in a dark Ford Crown Victoria. The woman, who saw blue lights on the dashboard of the car, said the man walked up to her car window and asked to see her license and registration. She told police the situation didn't "feel right" and drove away, then reported the incident at the nearby Elkhart Police Department. Police say the case is similar to one that occurred Dec. 28 in the 1200 block of Burr Oak Court, but is not likely related to a Dec. 15 case in Goshen. In the Dec. 28 incident, a man driving a black Ford Crown Victoria with red and blue flashing lights on top of the car pulled over a man and patted him down before driving away. The man was dressed as a police officer and had a badge and radio, although the victim could not see the badge number. The victim said the impersonator told him he matched the description of a robbery suspect and that was why he was stopped. The victim reported the incident because he said the man was rude. Both recent cases involve a white man, according to reports. Elkhart police say they have no officers with a black Crown Victoria. Indiana state, Goshen and Elkhart County police also confirmed they had no officers in those areas during either incident. Ed Windbigler, Elkhart police spokesman, said people should use vigilance when they believe they are being pulled over by an impostor. "What this lady did was great," Windbigler said. "She should be commended. She didn't feel comfortable, so she left and drove to the police department and reported it. "If you don't feel comfortable that it's a real officer, drive to a place where there's a lot of people or call the police."